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8th Grade Gridders Cap Unbeaten Seasons with Victory Over Tri

October 22, 2008 - Knightstown’s eighth grade football team completed an undefeated season by thrashing Tri last week, 34-0.

It didn’t take long for the Panthers to score all of the points they would need in picking up the lopsided win. After forcing a Titan punt on their first series, Knightstown needed just one play to hit paydirt. Zac Cleek bolted 36 yards for a touchdown and the route was on.

Knightstown’s defensive unit completely shut the Titans down throughout the game.

“Our team defense was very good and we did not allow Tri inside our 20-yard line,” coach Joe Patton said. “Our kickoff teams did an excellent job and we had good field position all night long.”

Andre Loveall rocketed 24 yards for another touchdown in the second quarter, and a two-point conversion by Jake Carter put the Panthers ahead 14-0 at the half.
Knightstown opened the second half by putting together a 10-play, 62-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard run for another score by Cleek.

Jared Souders ran in a 16-yard jaunt for a fourth quarter touchdown. Dusty Littleton added the two-point conversion to make it 28-0.

Tri started to drive the ball late in the game, but Souders intercepted the pass and returned in 78 yards for his second touchdown of the night.

Knightstown finished with 171 rushing yards and added 62 through the air via the arm of Jordan Jessup.

The team completed its season with an 8-0 record. As seventh graders last year, Knightstown also went unbeaten, bringing the two year record of this class of athletes to 15-0. In those two years, the young Panthers defeated arch-rival Tri by scores of 38-0 as seventh graders, and 34-0 this year.